Photo ID required in Indiana scrapping bill

House-passed measure aims to stem aluminum, copper thefts.

House-passed measure aims to stem aluminum, copper thefts.

January 30, 2008|JAMIE LOO Tribune Staff Writer

INDIANAPOLIS -- Photo identification will be required for architectural material scrapping, under a bill passed by the Indiana House of Representatives Tuesday. House Bill 1062 requires scrap dealers to refuse to purchase architectural scrapping material such as aluminum or plumbing from those under age 18 and to refuse materials that are believed to be stolen. The dealer must also ask for photo identification, keep records with a description of the materials and hold the scrap for five days, if asked by law enforcement. Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Lakeville, said scrapping has been a significant issue in South Bend and any legislation that addresses that is a good thing. Rep. Mike Murphy, R-Indianapolis, said he went to St. Joseph's High School in South Bend with Michael Lawson, who was one of the four men murdered and found in a manhole in January 2007. Scrapping was one of the issues involved in that murder. Murphy said Lawson graduated a few years before he did and said he wanted to remind legislators of the personal price communities have to pay for scrapping. "I just want to point out that it's not just profit," Murphy said. "It's life and death and we shouldn't allow the stealing and salvaging of scrap metal to become such a black market that people want to kill for it." The House also unanimously voted for a state study to find viable locations for inland ports or intermodal facilities that would be shipping centers with access to railroads, airports and state highways. Rep. Clyde Kersey, D-Terre Haute, said Indiana has several locations that could meet those criteria. Project Future of St. Joseph County has been working with neighboring counties on building an intermodal facility in northwest Indiana. The House also passed the following bills on third reading: -An anti-age discrimination bill that makes it illegal for employers to discriminate against someone because of their age. The legislation also transfers jurisdiction over age discrimination claims from the state labor commissioner to the state Civil Rights Commission. The bill was authored by Rep. David Niezgodski, D-South Bend. -Requiring drivers and passengers of a vehicle involved in an accident to notify law enforcement and aid others at the scene. Makes it a Class C misdemeanor not to provide assistance. The bill was authored by Rep. Tim Neese, R-Elkhart. -A bill to allow counties to hire police officers and firefighters who live in bordering counties and allows each county to make that decision on a town-by-town basis. The bill is authored by Rep. Nancy Dembowski, D-Knox, who said it will help police forces in rural communities that are understaffed and provide more job opportunities. -Establishes a study committee to examine the laws for learner's permits and graduated driver's licenses, such as the usage of handheld devices by probationary drivers and whether penalties are appropriate for probationary drivers who drive without an adult driver. Rep. Joe Micon, D-West Lafayette authored the bill. These bills now go to the Senate.